Slow trading seen at the Karachi Cotton Exchange on Tuesday, while spot rates decreased Rs50/maund to Rs6,750/maund (37.324kg) and Rs7,234/40kg. Ex-Karachi rates also decreased to Rs6,885/maund and Rs7,379/40kg after an addition of Rs135 and Rs145 as upcountry expenses, respectively.

The cotton market recorded only two transactions of around 1,400 bales at the price in between Rs6,900 and Rs6,925/maund. Rahimyar Khan’s 1,000 bales were traded at Rs6,900 to Rs6,925/maund and 400 bales of Sadiqabad exchanged hands at Rs6,925/maund.

According to Naseem Usman, chairman of the Karachi Cotton Brokers Association, slow trading was witnessed as the season is nearing end and spot rates decreased because of season end trading at low prices.

While at the Karachi Cotton Association on Tuesday fixed the official spot rate, or base price, for Grade 3 cotton at 7,234 rupees per maund (40 kg). Grade 3 cotton has a staple length of 1-1/16" and micronaire value between 3.8 and 4.9 NCL (no control limits), which represents fine to coarse classes of cotton varieties.

In the kerb market, the key crop varieties traded in the range of 6,900 to 6,925 rupees per maund.